Baixa, Lisbon, Portugal

Visit duration: 1 hr 30 min Editorial visit time estimate

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About Baixa

The Baixa, also known as the Baixa Pombalina, is the downtown neighbourhood in the historic centre of Lisbon. It is the grid of streets north of Praça do Comércio, roughly between Cais do Sodré and the Alfama district below the castle, and it extends north towards the Rossio and Figueira squares. The district was mainly built after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and takes its name from the Marquis of Pombal, prime minister to King Joseph I, who led the rebuilding of the city.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

What's inside

Pombal set strict rules for the rebuilding, so today's regular grid differs sharply from the organic street plan the district had before the earthquake. The Baixa is one of the first examples of earthquake-resistant construction: architectural models were tested by having troops march around them, and its buildings use the Pombaline cage, a symmetrical wooden lattice frame. The district's landmarks are Praça do Comércio, Rossio, Praça da Figueira and Restauradores Square.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

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Common questions

Is the Baixa a World Heritage Site?

Not yet. In 2004 the Pombaline Baixa was placed on Portugal's tentative list of potential World Heritage Sites.

Where it is

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Nearby

Within 4 min on foot

1 hour
4 min walk
Confeitaria Nacional
- Notable · Heritage site
- Restaurant or café
45 min
4 min walk
Santa Justa Lift
- Must see · Heritage site
- Historic site
1 hr 30 min
4 min walk
Museu do Dinheiro
- Must see · Heritage site
- Museum